Struggling Hannover calls in Portuguese striker Almeida

BERLIN: Portuguese international striker Hugo Almeida has signed for struggling German club Hannover 96 from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the Bundesliga outfit announced on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Almeida, 31, links up again at Hannover with Thomas Schaaf his coach when he played at Werder Bremen from 2006-2011, a period which saw him score 41 goals in 117 games.

“Hugo Almeida has already demonstrated his qualities over many years in the Bundesliga. Our coach knows him well from their time at Bremen,” said Hannover boss Martin Bader, without giving details of the contract.

Almeida added: “I jumped at the chance when I got this interesting offer. When the coach called me I said yes straight away, I never lost sight of the Bundesliga and I always wanted to return.”

Hannover is sitting second from bottom of the league with Schaaf brought in to replace coach Michael Frontzeck.

The club reinforced their strike force during the winter break signing Adam Szalai from Hoffenheim, Marius Wolf from Munich 1860 and Iver Fossum from Norwegian club Stroemsgodset.